Good Times!

Our first community potluck and film screening last Friday was great - thanks so much to everyone who attended - it was great to see some new faces and eat tons of delicious vegan food!




If any of the attendees want to email me their potluck recipes, I'd be happy to post them here on the blog!

Muhammara Bliss

(originally posted on the McFarland Designs blog)
This recipe from Colleen Patrick-Goudreau's just-released new cookbook, The Vegan Table is da bomb. I made some yesterday and have been enjoying the most spectacular sandwiches ever since. Here's tonight's dinner - foccacia with muhammara, sliced avocado, chopped cucumber, and shredded carrots. It would have been good with some chopped olives on top as well.

Muhammara

2 to 3 whole roasted peppers (from jar or roasted yourself)
2/3 cup bread crumbs (see below to make your own)
1 cup walnuts, toasted
4 large garlic cloves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons clover agave nectar
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (or more for added spice)

In a blender or food processor, combine the peppers and all the remaining ingredients. Taste, and add more spice or salt as necessary. Serving suggestions and variations:

* Garnish with toasted pine nuts

* To toast walnuts, just place them on a toaster oven tray and toast for 5 minutes; watch closely or they will burn.

* Serve with pita triangles, fresh bread, crackers, chips, carrots, mushrooms, cucumber, etc.

To make your own bread crumbs: Place some bread (stale bread works great) in the oven until it’s crispy but not really browned - at 300 degrees). Let it cool, then add it to your food processor until it is reduced to crumbs. Add Italian herbs such as dried oregano, thyme, basil, marjoram, rosemary, black pepper, etc. Enjoy!

To roast your own pepper: Heat the oven to 525 degrees (or use your broiler if you have one). Place peppers on an oiled cookie sheet. Roast on the highest rack for about 30 minutes or until they turn completely black. It’s not necessary to turn them. Remove them from the oven, and put them in a paper bag right away. Let them cool before handling them. The blackened skin will then just peel off after only about 10 minutes in the bag. Roasting peppers over an open flame is also a great way to do it (and you don’t need any oil). Use your gas range or grill. Use tongs and just turn over an open flame for about 10 minutes until charred. Proceed as above.

May Event Details

On Friday, May 22, the Humboldt Vegetarian Society will host a vegan potluck and free screening of the film, The Emotional World of Farm Animals, at the Humboldt Area Foundation, 373 Indianola Road in Bayside.

This event is open to the public and is free of charge. Attendees are welcome to attend either the potluck or film screening alone, or enjoy the entire evening. Potluck participants should bring one vegan dish to share and their own plates, cups, and utensils. (Vegan means no animal products, including meat, fish, dairy, eggs, honey, etc.) Dinner will begin at 6:00, followed by the film screening at 7:00.

The Emotional World of Farm Animals is a heart warming and thought provoking exploration of the emotional lives of animals that has aired nationally on PBS. The documentary is led by Jefferey Masson, author of When Elephants Weep, Dogs Never Lie About Love, and The Pig Who Sang to The Moon. The film is a coproduction of Animal Place and Earth View Productions.

Free child care will be provided.

Mark Your Calendars!

Our May gathering has been scheduled for the evening of Friday, May 22nd at the Humboldt Area Foundation (373 Indianola Road, Bayside). This event will include a free movie screening (movie to be determined soon) and a vegan pot luck. I'll post more details later, but for now, jot it down on your calendars so you don't book anything else! :-)